Automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus having a plurality of modes

ABSTRACT

An automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus comprises a guide drum having heads for recording and/or reproducing an information signal onto and/or from a tape, a guide mechanism for guiding the tape around a peripheral surface of the guide drum, a ring-shaped body disposed to generally encompass the guide drum in a plan view, for moving the guide mechanism in one direction up to a predetermined position from an original position by undergoing a rotation to a second position from a first position, and for moving the guide mechanism in a direction opposite to the one direction back to the original position from the predetermined position by undergoing a rotation to the first position from the second position, a moving mechanism for moving the tape in a predetermined tape path, a braking mechanism for braking a supply and take-up reel discs over which reels of a tape cassette are fitted, a first control mechanism operated by the ring-shaped body which rotates, for controlling the moving mechanism so that it assumes a state in correspondence with a set mode of the apparatus, and a second control mechanism operated by the ring-shaped body which rotates, for controlling the braking mechanism so that it assumes a state in correspondence with the set mode of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to automatic tape loading typerecording and/or reproducing apparatuses, and more particularly to anautomatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatus whichis designed so that a tape driving system and a reel disc braking systemare operated by use of the rotation of ring-shaped bodies which carryout the tape loading operation.

Presently, automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducingapparatuses are in wide use. In the automatic tape loading typerecording and/or reproducing apparatus, a tape loading mechanismautomatically draws a tape out of a tape cassette which is loaded intothe recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and loads the tape in apredetermined tape path. The recording and/or reproducing apparatuscomprises a tape driving system and a reel disc braking system. The tapedriving system drives the tape to move along the predetermined tapepath, by carrying out operations such as pressing a pinch roller againsta capstan and pushing a braking roller against a take-up reel disc. Onthe other hand, the reel disc braking system operates a reel brake forthe purpose of applying a back tension to the tape. Generally, theoperations in the tape driving system and the reel disc braking systemwere carried out by use of driving forces of plungers. For this reason,in addition to a motor for operating the tape loading mechanism, therecording and/or reproducing apparatus was provided with plungers foroperating the tape driving system and the reel disc braking system.Further, because of the loads which are associated with the operationsof the tape driving system and the reel disc braking system, relativelybulky and heavy plungers had to be employed. As a result, there weredisadvantages in that the overall size and weight of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus became large and heavy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea novel and useful automatic tape loading type recording and/orreproducing apparatus in which the above described disadvantages havebeen eliminated.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to providean automatic tape loading type recording and/or reproducing apparatuswhich is designed so that a tape driving system and a reel disc brakingsystem are operated by use of the rotation of ring-shaped bodies whichcarry out the tape loading operation. According to the apparatus of thepresent invention, it is unnecessary to provide plungers for operatingthe tape driving system and the reel disc braking system. As a result,it becomes possible to effectively downsize and reduce the weight of theapparatus, and also reduce the manufacturing cost of the apparatus.Furthermore, according to the apparatus of the present invention,members for controlling the operation of the tape driving system andmembers for controlling the operation of the reel disc braking systemcan respectively be disposed within a large space without difficulties,due to the fact that the diameters of the ring-shaped bodies aregenerally large. Moreover, it is possible to set rotational positions ofthe ring-shaped bodies with a satisfactory precision. Therefore, it ispossible to stably operate the tape driving system and the reel discbraking system with an accurate timing, and the reliability of theapparatus is consequently improved.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an automatic tape loadingtype recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention, in a recording or reproducing mode;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the operating state of a tape drivingsystem and a reel disc braking system in a stop mode;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are plan views respectively showing a first loading ringand a second loading ring in the stop mode;

FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively show a cam which is formed on the bottom ofthe first loading ring, in a form of a development together with adetecting switch;

FIG. 6 shows positions of first and second operating pins on the firstloading ring in each of the modes, together with braking members whichare disposed in the periphery of the first loading ring;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the operating state of the tape drivingsystem and the reel disc braking system in a recording or reproducingmode;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the operating state of the tape drivingsystem and the reel disc braking system in a search mode; and

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the operating state of the tape drivingsystem and the reel disc braking system in a fast-forward mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an automatic tape loading type recording and/orreproducing apparatus 10 comprises a main chassis 11. A guide drum 12, afull-width erasing head 13, an audio and control head 14 and the likeare disposed on the main chassis 11. The guide drum 12 is made up froman upper rotary drum which has rotary video heads, and a lowerstationary drum. In a stop mode of the apparatus 10, loading poles 15and 16 and a pinch roller 17 assume respective positions which areindicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 1. As indicated by a two-dotchain line in FIG. 1, a tape cassette 18 is loaded into the apparatus 10in a state where reels (not shown) inside the tape cassette 18 arerespectively fitted over a supply reel disc 19 and a take-up reel disc20.

When the apparatus 10 is operated to start a recording or reproduction,a tape loading mechanism 50 operates as will be described later on inthe specification. The tape loading mechanism 50 will be described indetail later on in the specification by referring to FIG. 2. When thetape loading mechanism 50 operates, loading pole bases 22 and 23 movealong respective guide grooves 25 and 26. The loading pole base 22 movesin the direction of an arrow A, and the loading pole base 23 moves inthe direction of an arrow B. As a result, a magnetic tape 27 which isaccommodated within the tape cassette 18, is intercepted by the loadingpoles 15 and 16 and drawn out of the tape cassette 18. The loading polebases 22 and 23 move up to respective final positions where the loadingpole 15 pushes against a stopper 28 and the loading pole 16 pushesagainst a stopper 29. Following this movement of the loading pole base22, a tension arm 30 is rotated counterclockwise by a spring 31, and atension develops in a brake band 32. In addition, in the final operationstage of the tape loading mechanism 50, the pinch roller 17 pressesagainst a capstan 33 with the tape 27 pinched therebetween, a take-upidler 34 for taking up the tape makes pressing contact with the take-upreel disc 20 and with a driving roller 35, an idler 36 forfast-forwarding or rewinding the tape separates from a driving roller37, and a supply brake arm 38 and a take-up brake arm 39 rotate andseparate from the respective reel discs 19 and 20, as will be describedlater on in the specification.

After the tape loading operation is completed, the apparatus assumes arecording or reproducing mode. The tape 27 is fed out from a supply taperoll 40, and makes contact with an impedance roller 42 after makingcontact with a tension pole 41 and the full-width erasing head 13. Thetape 27 is further guided by the loading pole 15, and is changed of itsdirection of path to be wrapped around the guide drum 12 in a spiralmanner. A video signal is recorded onto or reproduced from the tape 27by the rotary video heads, while the tape 27 is in contact with theguide drum 12.

After making contact with the guide drum 12, the tape 27 is guided bythe loading pole 16 and is changed of its direction of path. Thereafter,the tape 27 makes contact with the audio and control head 14 and a guideroller 43. Further, the tape 27 is pinched between the pinch roller 17and the capstan 33, and driven in this state. Thus, the tape 27 enterswithin the tape cassette 18, and is finally taken up by a take-up taperoll 44.

Next, description will be given with respect to the construction andoperation of the tape loading mechanism 50 and its related parts, byreferring to FIG. 2. The description will be given for each mode of theapparatus 10. FIG. 2 shows the state of the apparatus 10 in a stop mode.

The tape loading mechanism 50 generally comprises a first loading ring51 shown in FIG. 3 and a second loading ring 52 shown in FIG. 4. Thefirst and second loading rings 51 and 52 are concentrically fitted ontoa cylindrical bearing 53 which is secured on the chassis 11, with thesecond loading ring 52 on top of the first loading ring 51. In FIG. 2and FIGS. 7 through 9 which will be described later on in thespecification, the illustration of the second loading ring 52 is omittedfor convenience' sake. When a loading motor 54 rotates in a forwarddirection, the first loading ring 51 is rotated in the direction of anarrow C1 by way of a worm gear mechanism 55 and a first driving gear56a. Further, the second loading ring 52 is rotated in the direction ofthe arrow C2 by way of a second driving gear 56b. On the other hand,when the loading motor 54 rotates in a reverse direction, the firstloading ring 51 is rotated in the direction of the arrow C2 and thesecond loading ring 52 is rotated in the direction of the arrow C1.

A slide plate 57 is mounted on the first loading ring 51 as shown inFIG. 3. A pin 58 which is located on one end of the slide plate 57, fitsinto an elongated hole 51a in the first loading ring 51. The slide plate57 is mounted on the first loading ring 51, in a state where the slideplate 57 is urged to move in the direction of the arrow C1 by a spring59. The slide plate 57 comprises an L-shaped elongated hole 60 which ismade up from an elongated hole portion 60a which extends in thediametral direction of the first loading ring 51 and an elongated holeportion 60b which extends in the circumferential direction of the firstloading ring 51. A downwardly extending pin 61 of the loading pole base22 fits into the elongated hole 60, thereby coupling the slide plate 57(first loading ring 51) and the loading pole base 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, a slide plate 62 is mounted on the second loadingring 52, similarly as in the case of the first loading ring 51. A pin 63which is located on one end of the slide plate 62, fits into anelongated hole 52a in the second loading ring 52. The slide plate 62 ismounted on the second loading ring 52, in a state where the slide plate62 is urged to move in the direction of the arrow C2 by a spring 64. Anelongated hole 65 made up from an elongated hole portion 65a whichextends in the diametral direction of the second loading ring 52 and anelongated hole portion 65b which extends in the circumferentialdirection of the second loading ring 52, is formed in the slide plate62. A downwardly extending pin 66 of the loading pole base 23 fits intothe elongated hole 65, thereby coupling the slide plate 62 (secondloading ring 52) and the loading pole base 23.

An arcuate rib-shaped cam 70 shown in FIG. 5A, is formed on the bottomof the first loading ring 51, closer to the outer periphery of the firstloading ring 51. Further, rib-shaped cams 71A and 71B shown in FIG. 5B,are formed on the bottom of the first loading ring 51, closer to theinner periphery of the first loading ring 51. A detecting switch 72 ismounted on the chassis 11 in correspondence with the cam 70, and adetecting switch 73 is mounted on the chassis 11 in correspondence withthe cams 71A and 71B. The detecting switch 72 is turned ON when it ispushed by the cam 70, and the detecting switch 73 is turned ON when itis pushed by the cam 71A or 71B. The detecting switches 72 and 73 arecoupled to a control circuit (not shown) which controls the loadingmotor 54.

The detecting switch 72 detects the rotational position of the firstloading ring 51 when the first loading ring 51 rotates in the directionof the arrow C1. In other words, a fast-forward mode position of thefirst loading ring 51 during a fast-forward mode is detected when asloping surface 70a of the cam 70 pushes the detecting switch 72 andaccordingly turns the detecting switch 72 ON. As the first loading ring51 undergoes a further rotation, the detecting switch 72 is constantlypushed by a bottom surface 70b of the cam 70, and the detecting switch72 remains ON. As the first loading ring 51 undergoes still a furtherrotation and a sloping surface 70c of the cam 70 opposes the detectingswitch 72, the detecting switch 72 is no longer pushed by the cam 70. Asa result, the detecting switch 72 is turned OFF, and a reproducing modeposition of the first loading ring 51 during the reproducing (play) modeis detected.

The other detecting switch 73 detects the position of the first loadingring 51 when the first loading ring 51 rotates in the direction of thearrow C2 from the reproducing mode position. When the first loading ring51 assumes the reproducing mode position, the detecting switch 73 ispushed by a bottom surface 71Aa of the cam 70A and is turned ON. Whenthe first loading ring 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow C2 and asloping surface 71Ab of the cam 70A opposes the detecting switch 73, thedetecting switch 73 is no longer pushed by the cam 70A. As a result, asearch mode position of the first loading ring 51 during a search modeis detected. In addition, as the first loading ring 51 undergoes afurther rotation, the cam 71B pushes the detecting switch 73 and turnsthe detecting switch 73 ON. As the first loading ring 51 undergoes stilla further rotation, a sloping surface 71Ba of the cam 71B opposes thedetecting switch 73 as shown in FIG. 5B. In this state, the detectingswitch 73 is no longer pushed by the cam 70B, and the detecting switch72 is turned OFF. Hence, a stop mode position of the first loading ring51 during a stop mode is detected.

Because the diameter of the first loading ring 51 is relatively largesuch that the periphery of the first loading ring 51 surrounds the guidedrum 12, the cams 70, 71A, and 71B are disposed to the outside of theguide drum 12. For this reason, the rotational positions of the firstloading ring 51 during the various modes can be set with a satisfactoryprecision.

A first operating pin 75 for operating a pinch roller operatingmechanism and the like, and a second operating pin 76 for controllingthe operation of the idler 36 which fast-forwards or rewinds the tapeand the operation of the supply brake arm 38, are embeddedly located onthe bottom of the first loading ring 51. FIG. 6 shows the rotationalpositions of the first loading ring 51 during the various modes, interms of the positions of the operating pins 75 and 76. In FIG. 6,positions P_(ST1), P_(FF1), P_(SE1), and P_(PL1) respectively representrotational positions of the first operating pin 75 during the stop mode,the fast-forward mode, the search mode, and the reproducing (play) mode.On the other hand, positions P_(ST2), P_(FF2), P_(SE2), and P_(PL2)respectively represent rotational positions of the second operating pin76 during the stop mode, the fast-forward mode, the search mode, and thereproducing (play) mode.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a rotary arm 80 and slide plates 81 and 82are respectively supported on the chassis 11, adjacent the periphery ofthe first loading ring 51. Since the diameter of the first loading ring51 is greater than the diameter of the guide drum 12, there issufficient space for disposing the rotary arm 80 and the slide plates 81and 82. In other words, no difficulties will be encountered in disposingthe rotary arm 80 and the slide plates 81 and 82.

The rotary arm 80 is pivotally supported by a pin 83. One end of therotary arm 80 is coupled to a slide plate 85 of a pinch roller operatingarm assembly 84 which comprises a pair of slide plates 85 and 86 and acompressed coil spring 87 which is inserted between the slide plates 85and 86. During the stop mode, the rotary arm 80 is rotated clockwise bya spring 88 which acts on one end of the rotary arm 80. A cam 80a whichis formed on the other end of the rotary arm 80, enters within arotational locus of the first operating pin 75 of the first loading ring51. In addition, when the rotary arm 80 is in this rotational position,the pinch roller 17 is separated from the capstan 33. Moreover, a slideplate 89 is moved in the direction of an arrow Y2 by a spring 90, andthe take-up idler 34 is separated from the capstan 33. In this state,the brake arm 39 pushes against the reel disc 20.

The slide plate 81 is provided slidable in the directions of arrows X1and X2, and is urged to move in the direction of the arrow X2 by aspring 91. During the stop mode, the left end of the slide plate 81 isengaged with the second operating pin 76 which assumes the positionP_(ST2), and the slide plate 81 is moved in the direction of the arrowX1. Accordingly, an L-shaped arm 92 is pushed by the right end of theslide plate 81, and is rotated clockwise. In this state, the idler 36 isseparated from the driving roller 37.

The slide plate is provided slidable in the directions of the arrows Y1and Y2, and is urged to mode in the direction of the arrow Y2 by aspring 93. During the stop mode, the slide plate 82 is moved in thedirection of the arrow Y2. Thus, a pin 94 separates from a cam portion38a of the brake arm 38, and the brake arm 38 pushes against the reeldisc 19. An upper bent part 82a of the slide plate 82 assumes a positionwithin a rotational locus of the second operating pin 76.

When the apparatus 10 is operated to start the recording orreproduction, the loading motor 54 starts to rotate in the forwarddirection, a motor 100 starts to rotate in the forward direction, and acompact plunger 101 is operated.

A flywheel 103 and the capstan 33 are rotated by the motor 100 by way ofa belt 102. The driving roller 37 is rotated by the motor 100 by way ofa belt 104. Further, the driving roller 35 are rotated by the motor 100by way of the flywheel 103 and a belt 105. When the plunger 101operates, main brake arms 106 and 107 rotate and separate from therespectively reel discs 19 and 20.

When the loading motor 54 rotates in the forward direction, the firstloading ring 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow C1 until thedetecting switch 72 detects the reproducing mode position of the firstloading ring 51, while the second loading ring 52 rotates in thedirection of the arrow C2 up to a final position. By these rotations ofthe first and second loading rings 51 and 52, the loading pole 15 movesin the direction of the arrow A and the loading pole 16 moves in thedirection of the arrow B. The loading poles 15 and 16 move up to therespective positions which are indicated in solid lines in FIG. 1 and intwo-dot chain lines in FIG. 7, to carry out the tape loading operation.The operating pins 75 and 76 move to the respectively positions P_(PL1)and P_(PL2) shown in FIG. 6. Hence, the apparatus 10 assumes the stateshown in FIGS. 1 and 7, as will be described hereinafter.

The slide plate 81 slides in the direction of the arrow X2 and the idler36 makes contact with the driving roller 37, due to the initial movementof the second operating pin 76. Thereafter, this idler 36 againseparates from the driving roller 37 as will be described hereinafter.

In the final rotating stage of the first loading ring 51, the firstoperating pin 75 pushes the rotary arm 80, and the second operating pin76 pushes the slide plate 82. In other words, the first operating pin 75pushes the cam 80a of the rotary arm 80, and rotates the rotary arm 80counterclockwise. Due to this counterclockwise rotation of the rotaryarm 80, a pinch roller support arm 108 is pulled and rotatedcounterclockwise by the arm assembly 84, and the pinch roller 17 pressesagainst the capstan 33. Further, a V-shaped arm 109 is engaged androtated counterclockwise by an engaging arm 85a of the slide plate 85,and the slide plate 89 slides in the direction of the arrow Y1 againstthe force exerted by the spring 90. When the slide plate 89 slides, thebrake arm 39 is engaged and rotated by a pin 110, and separates from thereel disc 20. In addition, by the above sliding movement of the slideplate 89, an engaging piece 89a of the slide plate 89 separates from apin 112 of an idler support arm 111, and the take-up idler 34 is pulledand moved by a spring 113 so as to push against the reel disc 20 and thedrive roller 35. Accordingly, the braking with respect to the take-upreel disc 20 is released, and the take-up reel disc 20 is rotated in atape take-up direction.

Due to the above rotation of the rotary arm 80, a projecting portion 80bof the rotary arm 80 pushes the L-shaped arm 92, and the idler 36separates from the driving roller 37.

When rotating the rotary arm 80, a relatively large side pressure actson the first loading ring 51. However, no problems will be introduced bythe relatively large side pressure, because the first loading ring 51 issupported by the cylindrical bearing 53.

Furthermore, in the final rotating stage of the first loading ring 51,the second operating pin 76 pushes the bent portion 82a of the slideplate 82 so that the slide plate 82 slides in the direction of the arrowY1. By this sliding movement of the slide plate 82, a small arm portion30a of the tension arm 30 which has already rotated to an intermediateposition by following the movement of the loading pole base 22 isreleased from its locked state, and the tension arm 30 rotates up to theoperating position. In addition, by the above sliding movement of theslide plate 82, the pin 94 makes contact with the cam portion 38a, andthe brake arm 38 rotates counterclockwise to separate from the reel disc19.

The braking with respect to the reel discs 19 and 20, is cancelled inthe final stage of the tape loading operation. For this reason, the tapeloading operation is carried out in a state where the reel discs 19 and20 are braked by the respective brake arms 38 and 39, that is, in astate where an appropriate back tension is applied to the tape 27 whichis fed out of the tape cassette 18.

The reproducing operation is carried out in the above state where thebraking with respect to the reel discs 19 and 20 are cancelled. Duringthe reproducing mode, a gap ΔY exists between the engaging piece 89a ofthe slide plate 89 and the pin 112 on the idler support arm 111.

When a search operation is carried out during the reproducing mode, theloading motor 54 rotates in the reverse direction. The first loadingring 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow C2. The detecting switch73 detects the search mode position of the first loading ring 51 whenthe first loading ring 51 rotates in the direction of the arrow C2 by asmall angle, and the first loading ring 51 is stopped at this searchmode position. The operating pins 75 and 76 move to the respectivepositions P_(SE1) and P_(SE2) shown in FIG. 6, and the apparatus 10assumes a state shown in FIG. 8. The loading poles 15 and 16 do notmove, and remain stopped by the stoppers 28 and 29.

Due to the movement of the second operating pin 76, the slide plate 82is moved in the direction of the arrow Y2 over a small distance by theaction of the spring 93. When the slide plate 82 undergoes this smallsliding movement, the locking of the brake arm 38 by the pin 94 isreleased. As a result, the brake arm 38 rotates and pushes against thereel disc 19. In addition, the small arm portion 30a of the tension arm30 is pushed by the slide plate 82, and the tension arm 30 is rotatedclockwise by a small angle. Consequently, the brake band 32 slackens.

On the other hand, due to the movement of the first operating pin 75,the rotary arm 80 is rotated clockwise by the action of the spring 88.As the rotary arm 80 rotates, the pinch roller support arm 108 is pushedand rotated clockwise by the arm assembly 84. The pinch roller 17 thusseparates from the capstan 33.

By the movement of the arm assembly 84, the V-shaped arm 109 rotatesclockwise. The slide plate 89 slides in the direction of the arrow Y2 byfollowing the rotation of the V-shaped arm 109. When the slide plate 89slides, the engaging piece 89a engages with and pushes the pin 112 inthe direction of the arrow Y2. As a result, the take-up idler 34separates from the driving roller 35 and the reel disc 20. Further, thepin 110 separates from the brake arm 39, and the brake arm 39 pushesagainst the reel disc 20. In this state, because the gap ΔY existsbetween the engaging piece 89a and the pin 112, it takes a time Δt toseparate the take-up idler 34 from the driving roller 35 and the reeldisc 20 from the time when the slide plate 89 starts to slide.Accordingly, the take-up idler 34 is released from its operating state,with a time lag from the time when the tension pole 41 and the pinchroller 17 complete the respective movements.

Due to the above movements of the tension pole 41 and the pinch roller17, the length of the tape path is shortened, and the tape 27 willslacken if nothing is done. However, according to the presentembodiment, the take-up idler 34 remains in its operating state evenwhile the tension pole and the pinch roller 17 move, and the take-upreel disc 20 is urged to rotate in the tape take-up direction.Accordingly, the length of the tape path which is shortened, is taken upby the take-up tape roll 44, and the tape path is constantly maintainedunder tension. The tape 27 which is wrapped around the peripheralsurface of the guide drum 12, will remain in constant contact with theguide drum. If the tape 27 makes irregular contact with the guide drum12, this would lead to the generation of noise at the time of thereproduction. However, such noise will not be generated according to thepresent embodiment, since the tape 27 will remain in constant contactwith the guide drum 12.

As the rotary arm 80 rotates, the projecting portion 80b separates fromthe L-shaped arm 92. The idler 36 pushes against the driving roller 37,and the driving roller 37 then swings and pushes the reel disc 20 due tothe rotation of the driving roller 37. As a result, the reel disc 20rotates in the tape take up direction at a high speed. The tape 27 movesat a high speed keeping the contact with the guide drum 12, and thesearch operation in the forward direction is thus carried out. When themotor 100 rotates in the reverse direction, the idler 36 swings in adirection opposite to the case described above to push against the reeldisc 19, and the search operation in the reverse direction isaccordingly carried out. In this state, the brake arm 38 or 39 appliesthe back tension to the tape 27.

The mode of the apparatus 10 is changed to the search mode from thereproducing mode in a state where the tape path in the periphery of theguide drum 12 is under tension. Therefore, noise will not be generatedwhen the mode changes to the search mode.

From the time when the apparatus 10 is operated during the reproducingmode so as to start the search operation until the search mode actuallystarts, the tape 27 is not driven in the state pinched between thecapstan 33 and the pinch roller 17, and the load on the motor 100reduces. Hence, in the present embodiment, the driving voltage of themotor 100 is temporarily reduced to an appropriate voltage so that themotor torque will be most suitable for taking up the slack in the tape27, for the purpose of protecting the tape 27.

When the apparatus 10 is operated during the reproducing mode so thatthe apparatus 10 assumes the stop mode, the loading motor 54 rotates inthe reverse direction. The loading rings 51 and 52 respectively rotatein directions opposite to the directions in which the loading rings 51and 52 rotate during the tape loading operation. The first loading ring51 rotates up to its original position, that is, the position where thedetecting switch 73 detects the stop mode position of the first loadingring 51. The apparatus 10 thus assumes the state shown in FIG. 2.

Next, description will be given with respect to the relationship betweenthe loading rings 51 and 52 and the loading pole bases 22 and 23, in thefinal stage of the tape unloading operation.

The loading pole bases 22 and 23 respectively move in the diametraldirection of the loading rings 51 and 52, according to the shape of theguide grooves 25 and 26 and the like. In a state where the loading polebase 22 has returned to the terminal end position of the guide groove 25as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, that is, in the statewhere the loading pole 15 has returned within the tape cassette 18, theloading pole base 22 and the slide plate 57 assume the state indicatedby the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3. In other words, the pin 61 escapesfrom the elongated hole portion 60a and opposes the elongated holeportion 60b. The first loading ring 51 and the slide plate 57 rotate byan angle α before stopping, accompanying the relative movement of thepin 61 along the elongated hole portion 60b, that is, in a state wherethe loading pole base 22 is stationary in its original position. Thefirst loading ring 51 and the slide plate 57 respectively rotateindependently of the loading pole base 22. In the final stage of thisindependent rotation of the first loading ring 51 with respect to theloading pole base 22, the second operating pin 76 pushes the slide plate81 against the force exerted by the spring 91 so that the slide plate 81slides in the direction of the arrow X1. Then, the L-shaped arm 92rotates clockwise. Further, the idler 36 separates from the drivingroller 37, and the fast-forward or rewind mechanism assumes anon-operating state. In the final rotating stage of the first loadingring 51, the locking with respect to a cassette ejecting mechanism (notshown) is cancelled. If the locking with respect to the cassetteejecting mechanism is not cancelled, the operator must push a cassetteejecting button (not shown) of the apparatus 10 with a relatively largeforce so as to cancel the locking with respect to the cassette ejectingmechanism and then eject the tape cassette 18. However, since thelocking with respect to the cassette loading mechanism is cancelledbeforehand, the cassette ejecting button can be operated with a smallforce, that is, with the so-called feather touch.

When the pin 66 relatively moves within the elongated hole 65b and theloading pole base 23 returns to its final position, the second loadingring 52 rotates independently of the loading pole base 23 by the angle αbefore stopping as shown in FIG. 4.

When the apparatus 10 is operated to start a fast-forward operationduring the stop mode of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2, the loadingrings 51 and 52 rotate in the respective directions of the arrows C1 andC2. When the first loading ring 51 rotates by the angle α, the detectingswitch 72 detects the fast-forward mode position of the first loadingring 51, and the first loading ring 51 stops at this position. Theloading rings 51 and 52 rotate independently of the respective loadingpole bases 22 and 23, accompanying the relative movements of the pins 61and 66 along the respective elongated hole portions 60b and 65b. Inother words, the loading rings 51 and 52 rotate in the state where theloading poles 15 and 16 are maintained within the tape cassette 18.

Due to the rotation of the first loading ring 51, the second operatingpin 76 moves up to the position indicated by the two-dot chain line inFIG. 3, from the position indicated by the solid line.

As the second operating pin 76 moves, the slide plate 81 slides in thedirection of the arrow X2 due to the action of the spring 91. Hence, thelocking with respect to the L-shaped arm 92 by the slide plate 81 iscancelled, and the L-shaped arm 92 rotates. The idler 36 pushes againstthe driving roller 37, and the idler 36 swings to push against the reeldisc 20 due to the rotation of the driving roller 37. As a result, thereel disc 20 rotates in the tape take-up direction. Therefore, the tape27 moves in the forward direction at a high speed, within the tapecassette 18, and the fast-forward operation is thus carried out.

When the apparatus 10 is operated so as to start the rewind operation,the motor 100 rotates in the reverse direction. The idler 36 swings in adirection opposite to the direction in which the idler 36 swings for thefast-forward operation, and pushes against the reel disc 19 as indicatedby the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9. The reel disc 19 is rotated in thetape take-up direction. Accordingly, the tape 27 moves in the reversedirection at a high speed, within the tape cassette 18, and the rewindoperating is thus carried out.

In other words, the mode of the apparatus 10 is changed to thefast-forward or rewind mode, by the rotation of the first loading ring51.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, butvarious variations and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic tape loading type recording and/orreproducing apparatus having a plurality of modes and being set to oneof the modes at one time, said recording and/or reproducing apparatuscomprising:a guide-drum having at least a pair of heads for recordingand/or reproducing an information signal onto and/or from a tape; tapeguide means for drawing the tape out of a tape cassette which is loadedwithin the apparatus while said guide means moves to a predeterminedposition, and for guiding the tape in a predetermined tape path so thatthe tape is wrapped around a peripheral surface of said guide drum whensaid guide means is in said predetermined position; a supply reel discand a take-up reel disc for rotating reels of said tape cassette, saidreels being respectively fitted over said supply and take-up reel discswhen said tape cassette is loaded into the apparatus; a pair ofring-shaped bodies being disposed so as to generally encompass saidguide drum in a plan view and rotating to move said tape guide means,each of said pair of ring-shaped bodies assuming a rotational positiondepending on a set mode of the apparatus so that said pair ofring-shaped bodies move said tape guide means in one direction from anoriginal position up to the predetermined position when each of saidpair of ring-shaped bodies rotates from a first rotational position to asecond rotational position and moving said tape guide means in adirection opposite to said one direction and back from the predeterminedposition to the original position when each of said pair of ring-shapedbodies rotates from the second rotational position to the firstrotational position; tape driving means for driving the tape in saidpredetermined tape path, said tape driving means being displaced to oneof a plurality of predetermined positions so that said tape drivingmeans drives the tape at a tape traveling speed and in a tape travelingdirection depending on the set mode of the apparatus; braking means forbraking said supply reel disc and said tape-up reel disc, said brakingmeans being displaced to assume one of operating and nonoperatingpositions depending on the set mode of the apparatus; first controlmeans responsive to the rotational position of said pair of ring-shapedbodies for displacing said tape driving means to one of said pluralityof predetermined positions in correspondence with the set mode of theapparatus; and second control means responsive to the rotationalposition of said pair of ring-shaped bodies for displacing said brakingmeans to one of the operating and nonoperating positions incorrespondence with the set mode of the apparatus and further said tapedriving means comprises a pinch roller which presses against a capstanwith the tape pinched between the pinch roller and the capstan, androtary bodies for making contact with said reel discs and for rotatingsaid reel discs in a tape take-up direction, and said first controlmeans comprises first cam means and second cam means, said first cammeans being displaced due to a rotation of said pair of ring-shapedbodies and moving said pinch roller so that said pinch roller pressesagainst said capstan, said second cam means being displaced by adisplacement of said first cam means and moving said rotary bodies sothat said rotary bodies make contact with said reel discs.
 2. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which one of said pair of ring-shapedbodies comprises an engaging part, and said first cam means comprises arotary arm which is disposed within a rotating locus of said engagingpart and is engaged with and rotated by said engaging part when the oneof said pair of ring-shaped bodies rotates to said second position, apinch roller support arm for supporting said pinch roller, and linkingmeans for linking said rotary arm to said pinch roller support arm, saidlinking means rotating said pinch roller support arm in response to arotation of said rotary arm.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 inwhich one of said pair of ring-shaped bodies comprises an engaging part,and said second cam means comprises a rotary arm which is disposedwithin a rotating locus of said engaging part and is engaged with androtated by said engaging part when the one of said pair of ring-shapedbodies rotates to said second position, and a member which undergoes adisplacement in response to a rotation of said rotary arm and causes oneof said rotary bodies to make contact with said take-up reel disc.
 4. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said braking means comprises afirst braking member for braking said take-up reel disc and a secondbraking member for braking said supply reel disc, one of said pair ofring-shaped bodies comprises a first engaging part and a second engagingpart, and said second control means comprises a first mechanism which isdisposed within a rotating locus of said first engaging part and isengaged with and operated by said first engaging part to displace saidfirst braking member to an inoperative position with respect to saidtake-up reel disc when the one of said pair of ring-shaped bodiesrotates to said second position, and a second mechanism which isdisposed within a rotating locus of said second engaging part and isengaged with and operated by said second engaging part to displace saidsecond braking member to an unoperated position with respect to saidsupply reel disc when the one of said pair of ring-shaped bodies rotatesto said second position.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in whichone of said pair of ring-shaped bodies comprises a groove into which aprojection of said tape guide means fits, said groove comprises a firstgroove portion which extends in a diametral direction of the one of saidpair of ring-shaped bodies and moves said tape guide means in responseto a rotation of the one of said pair of ring-shaped bodies, and asecond groove portion which extends in a circumferential direction ofthe one of said pair of ring-shaped bodies and makes the one of saidpair of ring-shaped bodies rotatable independently of said tape guidemeans as said projection moves relatively along said second grooveportion, and said apparatus further comprises third control means formoving a rotary body which moves the tape at a high speed to anoperating position of the rotary body so that said take-up reel disc orsaid supply reel disc is rotatable at a high speed, by a use of therotation of the one of said pair of ring-shaped bodies as the one ofsaid pair of ring-shaped bodies rotates independently of said tape guidemeans from said first position toward said second position.
 6. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said tape driving meanscomprises a pinch roller which presses against a capstan with the tapepinched between the pinch roller and the capstan, a first rotary bodyfor making contact with said take-up reel disc and for rotating saidtake-up reel disc in a tape take-up direction at a low speed so as totake up the tape which is fed out by said capstan, and a second rotarybody for selectively making contact with said supply reel disc and saidtake-up reel disc and for rotating said supply reel disc or said take-upreel disc in the tape take-up direction at a high speed, and said firstcontrol means comprises first cam means which is displaced due to arotation of said pair of ring-shaped bodies toward said first positionby a small angle from said second position for separating said pinchroller from said capstan, second cam means which is displaced due to adisplacement of said first cam means for separating said first rotarybody from said take-up reel disc, delay means for delaying the beginningof a displacement of said second means by a slight time delay from thebeginning of the displacement of said first means, and third cam meanswhich is displaced due to the rotation of said pair of ring-shapedbodies by the small angle for causing said second rotary body to makecontact with said supply reel disc or said take-up reel disc after saidfirst rotary body separates from said take-up reel disc.
 7. An apparatusas claimed in claim 6 in which said delay means is constituted by a gapfor allowing a play to be formed between said first cam means and saidsecond cam means, and said gap has a predetermined length.
 8. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 4 which further comprises a tape tensiondetecting mechanism for detecting a tension in the tape in an operatingstate thereof, said tape tension detecting mechanism making contact withthe tape and assuming the operating state while the tape is pinched anddriven between said pinch roller and said capstan, and said firstmechanism causes said tape tension detecting mechanism to assume anon-operating state when said first mechanism is engaged with andoperated by said first engaging part.